Eastern Foxsnake
Pantherophis vulpinus • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Colubrinae, Genus: Pantherophis, Species: Pantherophis vulpinus
Found in North America, primarily restricted to the Great Lakes region, including parts of Michigan, Ohio, Ontario (Canada), and Wisconsin.
Look up Eastern Foxsnake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Colubrinae, Genus: Pantherophis, Species: Pantherophis vulpinus
Conservation
Generally considered of Least Concern globally, though regional populations face threats from habitat fragmentation, road mortality, and intentional killing.
Physical Description
Features a light brown or yellowish background with a series of dark brown or black blotches along the back and alternating spots on the sides. The head is often coppery-brown or reddish. Scales are weakly keeled, and the body is moderately robust with a slightly wedge-shaped head.
Size & Dimensions
Typical adults reach lengths of 90 to 135 cm (36 to 54 inches), with a maximum recorded length exceeding 170 cm.
Habitat
Inhabits open forests, prairies, marshes, agricultural lands, and rocky shorelines. Often found near water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and wetlands.
Diet & Feeding
Preys primarily on small mammals such as mice and voles, as well as birds and bird eggs. Utilizes constriction to subdue active prey.
Reproduction
Oviparous species. Females typically lay clutches of 8 to 27 eggs in mid-summer, usually in rotting logs, damp soil, or piles of decaying vegetation.
Conservation Status
Generally considered of Least Concern globally, though regional populations face threats from habitat fragmentation, road mortality, and intentional killing.
Cultural Significance
Beneficial to agriculture and human settlements due to its efficiency in controlling rodent populations.
Notable Features
Known to vibrate its tail rapidly in dry leaf litter when threatened, producing a buzzing sound that mimics a rattlesnake.